Archive for the ‘History’ Category
Buckingham Fountain
A hidden gem that always seems to get over looked by our massive sky scrapers and modern architectural advances might have to be The Buckingham Fountain. Dedicated in 1927 in memory of her late brother, Kate Buckingham, established a $300,000 trust fund to ensure the taxpayers that they would never have to pay for repairs and general upkeep for the fountain. Edward H. Bennett was the head architect that designed it, and some of his other works include the Michigan Ave. Bridge and the 1909 Plan of Chicago. When it was first built it served as the starting point for the Route 66 highway that ran to Los Angeles!
Daniel Burnham
Daniel Burnham was born September 4th, 1846 and was undoubtedly one of Chicago’s most influential architects. He was a famous American architect,Urban Planner and was the Director of Works for the World’s ColumbianExposition. He really set the bar with his work on the World’s Columbian Exposition, he was up against extreme weather, unrealistic time constraints, political hurdles and a limited budget. Despite all of these obstacles, Burnham was able to create magnificent grounds for the fair, including grand boulevards, classical building facades, gardens and small rivers. The fair grounds became known as the ‘White City’ because all of the structures were white. Read More
AL Capone- A.K.A “Scarface”
He was the muscle of this city. Public Enemy #1
shedd aquarium
The Shedd Aquarium is one of Chicago’s most cherished structures. It was created by John G. Shedd who was the former president of Marshall Field and Co. He started the project with a $3 million donation and was very inspired by Daniel Burnham’s vision to beautify the city and his “make no little plans” motto. Unfortunately, John G. Shedd passed before the structure was finished but his wife was there to cut the ribbon on opening day. After over a million gallons of water were shipped by railway from Florida, the Shedd Aquarium opened on May 30, 1930. Today the Shedd strives to educate and inspire. Read More
Democratic Convention – 1968
The Democratic Convention took place August 26-29 1968. There were many issues causing tension in the Nation; specifically clashing views on the Vietnam War, the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., the murder of Andy Warhol and the assassination of presidential candidate Robert Kennedy. Many were skeptical of Chicago’s ability to hold a peaceful, productive convention, but they were assured by Mayor Daley that peace would be kept in his city. This did not happen. Read More
Harold Washington – Chicago’s first black Mayor
Harold Washington is a household name in Chicago; He was Chicago’s first black Mayor and a man of the people. Many think of him favorably but do not know the full story of his strength and will to persevere. Here is the short version… Read More
St. Valentine’s Day Massacre – 1929
On Valentine’s day, 81 years ago a massacre took place on N. Clark Street in Chicago that would go down in history as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. Seven men sat in a storage garage socializing, five of them were gangsters who associated with the George ‘Bugs’ outfit, when two men dressed as police officers walked in. Read More
Bertha Potter Palmer
Bertha Palmer was a talented musician, skilled linguist, an accomplished writer and a respected politician. She gained a lot of fame and social clout when she married Potter Palmer in 1871. She and her husband became a Chicago power couple; she was very active supporting women’s rights and often used her wealth and social position to advance many women’s causes. Read More
Jack Johnsons Ties with Chicago
The first African American Heavyweight Champion was Jack Johnson. And not only did Jack Johnson have a nightclub here in Chicago, Cafe de Champion, he’s also buried here in Graceland Cemetery. His grave was initially unmarked, but now there’s a head stone that reads only the name “Johnson”.